Worker dies in North Cotabato grenade blast

MANILA, Philippines – A sugarcane plantation worker was killed while three others were wounded when a fragmentation grenade exploded in a village in Matalam, North Cotabato on Thursday night.

The fatality was identified as Oto Lamalan.

Esmael Landing, Anggara Mangadta and Kentol Macaalay, who were wounded, were confined in a hospital.

Col. Richard Verceles, operations chief of Area Police Command-Western Mindanao, citing information provided by barangay kagawad Norhana Salido, said the explosion occurred at around 9:10 p.m. in Purok 8 in Barangay Kidama.

Responding police and Explosives Ordnance Disposal personnel recovered a safety lever, indicating that the explosion was caused by an MK2 fragmentation grenade. –  Roel Pareño